Wire bending and securing device



Nov. 29, 1938. J. B. DEMPSEY 2,138,026

WIRE BENDING AND SECURING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1937 lll i M'- n gar a; 2 llllmw l2 I I a! ,1 aunt?! 1 /NVE/V To/e JHMES a OFMPSEY Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE BENDING AND SECURING DEVICE Application July 27, 1937, Serial No. 155,914

5 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467) This invention relates to the art and means for bending wire ends for securing the same to terminals or securing the. same together, primarily for electricalcontact and for mechanical support.

The present practice of securing wires to terminals ordinarily requires the use of round-nosed pliers for the formation of a loop, it then requires that the terminal post, or the securing nut thereon, be removed for the seating of the loop on the terminal plate, and thence the replacement of the terminal post or nut thereof. Other practices include the loosening of the terminal post, or nut, and the feeding of the wires, with considerable difficulty and dissatisfaction, beheath the head or nut and around the shank of the terminal while the same is being tightened down to retain the wires.

By the present method and apparatus such diificulties as just mentioned are dispensed with and the wires are firmly secured to the terminals in a workmanlike manner and without the use of ramming or bending tools.

Other objects and functionswill be apparent from the following description, it being understood that the above general statement is intended to explain the invention without limiting the same in any manner.

The accompanying drawing is an illustrative example of means for bending and securing wires to terminals having the characteristics of my invention and by which the same may be practiced.

Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of modified forms of slotted washer-like guides and retainers.

Figure 3 illustrates a washer-like guide and retainer similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that the terminal post, or screw-like portion, is

integral with the washer-like portion of the guide.

Figure 4 is taken at line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates the application of a guide and retainer, such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, upon a terminal plate and post, as well as illustrating the initial position of a wire to be bent firmly about a terminal post by means of the guide having the blade of a tool, such as a screw driver, projecting through the slot of the guide and engaging the wire.

Figure 5a is taken at line -5a 5a of Figure 5.

Figure 5b is similar to that of Figure 5 except upon the completion of the bending operation.

Figure 6 illustrates a terminal plate having a fixed guide, as well as illustrating the initial position of a wire to be bent about the terminal post by means of a tool blade engaging the guide and wire.

Figure 6a is taken at line' fizz-6a of Figure 6.

Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 except that it illustrates the method of bending the wire about thedterminal post without the utilization of a tool bla e.

Figure 7a is taken at line 'la la of Figure '7.

Figure 7b is similar to Figure 7 except that it illustrates an advanced position of the wire about the terminal post.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that this embodiment comprises a washer-like member Iii having an aperture I I adapted toreceive a terminal post or screw, and having another aperture or slot l2 which is designed and adapted to receive a tool blade, such as that of a screw driver. The adaptation of the elements just described will be seen from Figures 5, 5a and 5b where the washer-like member ID is shown in connection with a terminal plate I3-having a terminalpost, screw or bolt 14 insertedlinto the aperture ll of the washer-like member. Tosecure a wire tothe terminal post M, the wire i5 (stripped of its armor or insulation I6) is passed along the side of the terminal post l4 between theterminal plate I3 and the washer-like member ii], whereupon the blade i! of a tool, such'as' that of a screw driver, is passed through the aperture l2 of the washer-like member sufficiently to engage the side of the wire I5 opposite the side which is adjacent the terminal post [4. When the elements are brought into this simple position, the operation which firmly, bends the wire about the terminal post is the mere application of a torque to the tool 11. The shape of the aperture I2 is preferably such that the tool blade I'| may assume, a slightly angular position whereby the leading corner of the blade may grip or bite into the wire for a firm engagement during the bending operation. As torque is applied to the tool, the protruding wire-engaging portion of the" tool blade carries; the wire about the terminal post. The washer-like member, of course, rotates on the terminal post responsively to the torque of the tool and retains the tool blade within a path of a uniform radius. The wire is thereby bent securely around the terminal post for a good electrical contact.

After the completion of this simple operation, as illustrated in Figure b, the washer-like member may then be seated firmly upon the wire, looped about the terminal post, by tightening the screw I4, if such constitutes the terminal post, or by tightening a nut (not shown) applied to the protruding end of the terminal post I4. The wire is thereby firmly connected to the terminal post and is securely clamped in contact with the terminal plate.

In this manner and by these elements several wires may be bent at one turn or they may be bent over one another all at the same radius and be brought firmly into contact with each other, with the terminal post, and with the terminal plate.

To eliminate the necessity of removing the screw type terminal post (or removing the nut on what may be termed a fixed terminal post) in order to position the washer-like member I I], I propose to utilize a modified washer-like member Illa, such as illustrated in Figure 2, which is provided with a peripherally entering slot Ila communicating with the terminal post aperture I I, whereby the washer-like member may be slid onto the shank of the terminal post rather than over the post. The slot IIa of the modified type may be separate from, form a part of, or continue into the tool blade aperture I2. This form may also be removed, if desired, after the bending operation without removing the nut on the terminal post, and might be used where one wire is to be wound on a second wire.

Another modification of the washer-like member is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, where by reference it will be seen that the terminal post I4 is formed as an integral part of the washer-like portion IOb or vice versa. The operation of the latter type is identical with that of the former except that the terminal post is tightened down during the bending operation since a rotation of the washer-like member or head portion also causes a rotation of the integral terminal post.

For use in conjunction with the washer-like members such as those heretofore described, or for use in conjunction with any conventional type of washer, or for use without washers, I provide a terminal plate I3b, Figures 6, a, 7a, and 7b, provided with an annular guide I8 having a passageway I9 therethrough adapted to receive a Wire I5. This guide surrounds the terminal post I4 and projects from, or is formed in, the face of the terminal plate I3 and is utilized as a means for bending a wire about a terminal post. Its use, however, is not limited to that as a terminal plate or as means for bending a wire about a terminal post. It is equally adaptable for use simply as a wire bending device, which statement may also be applied to the elements described heretofore in connection with Figures 1 to 5b inclusive.

In the use of the devices described in connection with Figures 6 to 7b, it will be seen from Figures 6 and 6a that the wire I5 is passed through the passageway IQ of the guide I8 along one side of theterminal post I4. A tool blade I! is then inserted between the annular guide and the wire and by the application of a torque thereto the guide I8 acts as a cam for the tool blade causing it to travel around the terminal post I4 and at the same time gripping and bending the wire firmly about the terminal post, similar to that illustrated in Figure 5b in connection with the utilization of the washer-like member ID. The washer-like guides and retainers heretofore described may be used in combination with the latter type of terminal plate to cooperate with the guide I8 in keeping the wire, during the bending operation, within the guide and from slipping over the rim thereof. The washer-like member also cooperates to clamp the wire firmly to the plate when the washer-like member is tightened down on the terminal post.

The tool used in connection with the device illustrated in Figure 6 preferably has its trailing corner rounded to aiford the least possible friction with respect to the guide I8. The leading corner of the blade is, as heretofore mentioned, preferably square to facilitate a gripping of the wire.

The use of the tool blade II, as described in connection with the operation of the devices illustrated in Figures 6 and 6a, may, if desired, be dispensed with and in lieu thereof longitudinal force may be applied to the wire whereby the guide I8 acts as a cam in directing the wire about the terminal post as illustrated in Figures 7 and '71). To assist in the starting of the operation, the tip of the wire may be slightly bent, as shown in Figure '7 As force is applied longitudinally to the portion of the Wire projecting from the guide, the wire bends in the region marked a (Fig. and takes the shape of the guide, and as the wire advances, bending continues through the are marked b (Fig. '7 However, as the wire pro' gresses through the are I) that portion of the guide rarely assists in the bending and may be eliminated to afford space for a soldering lug which is ordinarily required by regulations for conductors carrying more than 30 amperes.

In the use of the device as illustrated by Figures 7, 7a and b, an initial bend to the end of the wiref-acilitates the operation, however, if such a bend be not applied, before inserting the wire into the guide, it is preferable to cut the end of the wire at an oblique angle and place that face thereof against the guide whereby the tip of the wire will more readily follow the guide, By this latter method the wire begins to bend initially at the point where it contacts the terminal post I4.

In addition to the uses of the devices herein described it is to be understood that the devices are intended for use as tools for bending wires.

What I claim is:

1. Means for forming terminal loops on one or more electrical conductors individually or collectively about a single terminal post, comprising a flat auxiliary disc-like member mounted centrally and independently rotatable upon a terminal post, said terminal post having means for removably retaining said rotatable disc-like member thereon, said disc-like member having a decentralized opening substantially normal to its surfaces, a cross-sectionally non-circular blade-like element removably mounted in said opening with a portion projecting beyond the face of said disc-like member, said projecting portion being spaced from and substantially parallel with said terminal post, said blade-like element and disc-like member being cooperatively rotatable about the common axis of said terminal post by the application of torque to said blade-like element, means formed by portions of the side walls of the decentralized opening of said disc-like member for imparting a centripetal force of said blade-like element upon rotation of said disc-like member about said terminal post, means formed by portions of the side walls of the decentralized opening of said disc-like member for preventing rotation of the blade-like element about its own axis upon the application of torque to said blade-like element, and means formed by portions of the side walls of the decentralized opening of said disc-like member for directing said blade-like element about said terminal post upon the application of torque to said blade-like element, whereby wires extended transversely of and between said terminal post and the projecting portion of said blade-like element will be bent about said terminal post by the projecting portion of said blade-like element as it is directed about the terminal post upon the application of torque thereto.

2. A relatively thin washer having a centrally located aperture and mounted by means thereof independently rotatable upon a conventional terminal post, means formed by a part of said washer for removably receiving a wire bending tool in a manner non-rotatable about its own axis yet rotatable with said washer about the axis of said terminal post, whereby torque applied to the tool will cause the washer to guide said tool around the terminal post and whereby a wire traversing the path of the tool in a direction transversely of said terminal post may be bent about the terminal post by said tool.

3. A wire securing device comprising a terminal post projecting from a substantially fiat base member, a substantially flat wire clamping means mounted on said terminal post substantially parallel with said base member whereby a plurality of wires of substantially uniform diameter may be clamped with substantially equal pressure, said clamping means also being mounted rotatably with respect to said base member and variably spaced from said base member to afford a rotation of the clamping means before operating to clamp wires, said clamping means having a non-axial non-circular aperture to receive a tool, a non-circular non-rotatable wire engaging tool mounted in and projecting from said aperture whereby wires transversely adjacent said terminal post may be engaged by the projecting portion of said tool and bent about said terminal post upon the application of torque to said tool, and means for varying the space between said clamping means and base member to clamp wires bent about said terminal post.

4:- A terminal securing device comprising a terminal post having a rotatable washer-like member mounted axially thereon, said member being provided with a non-circular, non-axial aperture to receive a Wire bending tool in a manner whereby the tool is restrained against axial rotation, a wire bending tool passing through said aperture, said tool being of a shape incompletely rotatable, in the aperture so that application of torque about the axis of the tool will cause arcuate rotation of the tool and member about the axis of the terminal post.

5. A wire securing device comprising a core having a substantially fiat member fixed thereon and another substantially flat member rotatably mounted thereon, wire engaging means passing through said rotatable member laterally of and substantially parallel with said core, said engaging means operable to grip a wire between itself and said core and carry said wire loopwise about and in contact with said core upon the application of torque to said wire engaging means.

JAMES B. DEMPSEY. 

